How to Prevent Altitude Sickness in Denver With IV Hydration

Can You Get Altitude Sickness in Denver?

Altitude sickness is a temporary condition characterized by fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, and nausea. This condition can happen in people who travel to high-altitude regions such as Colorado. Your age, gender, training, and fitness levels do not necessarily decrease your chances of developing altitude sickness.

High-altitude environments are generally considered to be above 8000 feet. The average elevation of Colorado is 6800 feet, with over five-hundred mountain ranges above 13,000 feet in elevation. Since Colorado has the highest overall elevation of any state, altitude sickness is a common occurrence among visitors.

Can you get altitude sickness in Denver? With an altitude of 5280 feet (1 mile), Denver is nicknamed the ‘mile-high’ city for a reason. Although it is less common for people to develop altitude sickness below 8000 feet, anyone – especially people who are not acclimated to high-altitude environments – can get mountain sickness.

Denver altitude sickness symptoms include:

• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Headache
• Fatigue
• A lack of appetite
• Weakness
• Insomnia

So, how do you prevent altitude sickness in Denver? We have one word for you: hydration.

The Connection Between Altitude and Dehydration

How does hydration play into high-altitude environments and mountain sickness? First, let’s talk about altitude and dehydration.

Higher altitudes cause you to dehydrate faster, often without realizing it. When you are at a higher altitude, your hunger and thirst decrease. The less you drink, of course, the easier it is to get dehydrated.

If you are visiting Colorado, there’s a good chance you will be hiking or climbing. When you are exercising, your body will use water that much faster. Dry mountain air and often-cold temperatures at higher altitudes can lead you to become dehydrated without realizing it. On top of that, your fluid metabolism changes at higher altitudes, causing both dehydration and a loss of overall water in the body.

Hydration is always essential, but especially so at high altitudes since it is so easy to become dehydrated without realizing it. Water hydrates your body and keeps your organs and cells running normally. Hydration also flushes out the cell-damaging free radicals produced by exercise. By removing these free radicals, hydration plays a large part in promoting muscle healing and repair after a long day in the mountains, which is especially important during high-altitude performance.

Water also increases the volume of blood to oxygenate. By drinking water – or getting a hydration IV – you can increase your blood oxygen levels to help you recover from altitude sickness faster.

IV Hydration and Altitude Sickness

Although it is easy to get dehydrated at high altitudes, it is just as easy to stay hydrated. That said, one of the most common symptoms of altitude sickness is nausea, and no one wants to drink a glass of water while they’re feeling nauseous.

That’s where IV hydration and altitude sickness intersect. IV hydration is ideal for staying hydrated when you are nauseous. IV therapy is administered directly into your bloodstream, bypassing your stomach for fast and thorough hydration.

IV hydration can help you recover from the symptoms of altitude sickness faster and improve how you feel. You can opt for add-ons such as anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory medications to help improve your symptoms and your comfort. Many of our IV formulas contain essential vitamins to boost your immune system’s function, helping you feel your best and stay healthy for the rest of your trip.